Scandinavian-inspired 'forest school' links kids with nature

Teacher-assistant Jean Kramer warms Remy Bitterauff’s hands after Bitterauf’s gloves got wet on a hike at Foxtail Forskola at Earthstar Farms in Whitefish on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Foxtail Forskola is a Scandinavian-inspired forest school where nature is the classroom. Children ages 3-6 spend nearly all of the school day outdoors learning social and emotional readiness through free play and nature-based activities on a 35-acre organic farm. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Teacher Kayla Nickells removes wet hats and gloves from students after a hike at Foxtail Forskola at Earthstar Farms in Whitefish on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Foxtail Forskola is a Scandinavian-inspired forest school where nature is the classroom. Children ages 3-6 spend nearly all of the school day outdoors learning social and emotional readiness through free play and nature-based activities on a 35-acre organic farm. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Students head back to the schoolhouse after a hike at Foxtail Forskola at Earthstar Farms in Whitefish on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Foxtail Forskola is a Scandinavian-inspired forest school where nature is othe classroom. Children ages 3-6 spend nearly all of the school day outdoors learning social and emotional readiness through free play and nature-based activities on a 35-acre organic farm. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Foxtail Forskola founder and teacher Kayla Nickells leads preschoolers in song. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)

Preschool students make new creations at the pond area known as the “Foxtail Baker.” (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)

Students climb over a fallen tree with teacher-assistant Jean Kramer during a hike at Foxtail Forskola.

Teacher-assistant Amy Kortko shows the students witch’s hair lichen during a hike at Foxtail Forskola at Earthstar Farms in Whitefish on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Foxtail Forskola is a Scandinavian-inspired forest school where nature is othe classroom. Children ages 3-6 spend nearly all of the school day outdoors learning social and emotional readiness through free play and nature-based activities on a 35-acre organic farm. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)